| ZEM | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Landscape: | Yes |
| Origin: | Loures, Portugal |
| Genre: | Hard rock, pop rock, psychedelic rock, space rock |
| Years Active: | 1982 - 1987 |
| Label: | Discossete |
| Current Members: | Francis Riba (bass guitar, vocals) João Sanguinheira (lead guitar, vocals) Victor Bagoim (keyboardist, vocals) Paulo Santos (rhythm guitar, percussion) Tó Gonçalves (guitar) Antonio José (drums) |
ZEM[1] were a pop rock group from Loures, Portugal. Formed in 1982, they were known as the pioneers of psychedelic rock in Portugal and innovative for their elaborate live shows.
In 1982, Francis Riba, Joao Sanguinheira and Victor Bagoim formed the musical group Os Senhores (The Sirs). A few days later, Sanguinheira's friend, the drummer António José, joined the group. When Paulo Santos and To Gonçalves, both guitarists, then joined the band, the music began a more complex sonority.In 1984, they changed the name to ZEM. In March 1987, the band recorded their first single, "Louca Paixão" (Crazy Passion),[2] and they became the first Portuguese group to have music in the record chart of the Lisbon-based radio station, Radio Cidade.
In 1981, they participated in the fourth contest of Rock Rendez-Vous,[3] using the original name again, Os Senhores (The Sirs). They had to change the name back again, because they already had a record released, and the regulation of the contest only allowed the participation of groups without records.
In an interview to the music newspaper Blitz, after the participation in Rock Rendez-Vous, Francis Riba confessed he foresaw a dark future for the band, since his musical dreams were taking him to obscure places.
Their debut album, ZEM, was issued in November 1987. After that, the band was dissolved due to internal problems.